VOLKSWAGEN’S RECORD DELIVERY

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, sold 5.8% more vehicles in the first quarter, marking a delivery record for the period as the Audi luxury brand attracted buyers.

Renault is considering the complete closure of its factories because of the dire state of the European car market, the company’s chief operating officer said yesterday.

JAPANESE car firm Toyota Motor is forecasting a 20% jump in 2012 sales to a record 8.48 million vehicles, as it recovers from output losses caused by natural disasters in Japan and Thailand this year.